Seattle Seahawks Activate Dee Eskridge, Elevate Jason Peters From Practice Squad
After returning to practice this week following a six-game suspension, the Seattle Seahawks have activated receiver Dee Eskridge to the 53-man roster, positioning him to make his season debut against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
In a corresponding move, Seattle released veteran center Joey Hunt, who was signed from the practice squad last week as insurance with starter Evan Brown sidelined by a hip injury in a 20-10 win over Arizona.
Drafted in the second round out of Western Michigan in 2021, Eskridge has been a disappointment to this point due to injuries and his recent suspension. He missed seven games as a rookie due to a concussion and also missed the final seven games in 2022 after fracturing his hand, limiting him to 17 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in 20 regular season games.
Fully healthy entering training camp, Eskridge got off to a fast start and looked poised for a potential breakout season, only for the momentum to immediately be squelched by the announcement of a suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The Mississippi native was arrested in February for a domestic violence incident with his child's mother and currently is participating in domestic violence moral recognition therapy.
Looking to redeem himself after an off-field incident led to a six-game suspension, Dee Eskridge's return to the 53-man roster paves the way for him to play for Seattle against Cleveland on Sunday.
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Upon his return, Eskridge may have a difficult time finding many snaps on offense due to the emergence of rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Jake Bobo behind stars Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. But Seattle clearly hasn't given up on him fulfilling his promise yet and with sub-4.4 speed, there may still be a way to get him involved, including on special teams as a possible kick return alternative.
Eskridge won't be the only player potentially set to make his season debut for the Seahawks either. With starting right tackle Abraham Lucas still sidelined by a knee injury, the team elevated 41-year old veteran Jason Peters from the practice squad.
Peters, who signed with Seattle shortly after Lucas and Charles Cross both went down with injuries in a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams, had been dealing with a quad injury for a few weeks that prevented the team from calling up him. Even with Jake Curhan battling an ankle sprain last week, he wasn't quite ready to play against the Cardinals.
While it remains to be seen what the Seahawks plan to do up front, Stone Forsythe likely will make his second straight start at right tackle with Peters providing insurance behind him and Cross. The veteran also has played a bit of guard in recent years and with starter Phil Haynes set to miss his third game with a calf issue, he could be used in that role if needed against a talented Browns defensive front.
